Garden of Palms

Garden of Palms, Dutch: Palmentuin, is a palm tree landscape garden in Paramaribo, Suriname. In addition to tall royal palms, the grounds are home to tropical birds and a "troop" of capuchin monkeys.^[1] Palmentuin is located on Van Roseveltkade behind the Presidential Palace of Suriname and is a tourist attraction.^[1]

Royal palms were planted on the grounds by order of Cornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck Governor of Suriname from 1683-1688. He opened the garden to the public in 1685. He was murdered in 1688 by a group of mutinous soldiers. Afterwards the garden was closed to the public until in the early 20th century. The park includes a playground and on holidays there are stalls. In 2002, the city of Paramaribo was put on on the World Heritage List at the UN and the garden was cited specifically as a feature.^[2] In 2009, the UNESCO made US $147,000 available to refurbish the palm garden.

Gallery

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  Festively attired Arawak Indians in the Palm Garden (Palmentuin) behind the Government House (Gouvernementshuis), late 19th century

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  A woman selling corn at the garden circa 1920

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  Late 19th century photo

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  Circa 1920

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References

Coordinates: 5°49′42″N 55°09′01″W / 5.8282°N 55.1502°W / 5.8282; -55.1502